You have an option when you hit rock bottom

Sometimes we have to admit we need help

We all come to the point of asking questions about our mortality, our lives and our future.  There are so many things that promise satisfaction, and we grasp for them and they disappoint.  Disappointment is part of life, and its hardest when we are disappointed in our loved ones, our families, friends, and ultimately ourselves.  Mental Health is the new focus, and we often find ourselves in a sorry state.

What do you do if you’re in this mess? 

Repeating past mistakes will produce the same results.  We get ourselves into a pattern of behaviour and we need something to break us free.

When everyone else gives up on you, there is one who won’t.

Have you felt that you can’t cope and communicate your problems?  There is a story of a man who was very troubled.  He was so difficult to manage that he lived on the outskirts of his village.  The people feared him because He was wild and uncontrollable.  He encountered Jesus, and with His help, was soon back in his right mind.  That man’s story can be found in Mark 5:1-20.  You may not physically be like this man, but you can be very troubled, and unsure in your spirit, just as he was.  Jesus can help you get some clarity, and with time, He can help you balance your life once again.

Ever felt that no one will listen to you, no one is picking up your stress and difficulties?  There was a man called Bartimaeus, who was blind.  One day he had the opportunity to encounter Jesus as He was passing by.  Taking  his chance, He called out repeatedly for Him.  The people wanted him to be quiet, but he called out all the more.  Jesus turned and came to his aid.  That man’s story can be found in Mark 10:46-52.  While you may not be physically blind, we can be blind as to the right course for our lives.  You know your current path is leading nowhere, but you don’t know what to do.  Jesus, is waiting to help you, but he can only help you if you cry out to Him and ask for His help.  Jesus won’t let you down.

Jesus offers you an invitation.  If you will come to Him, learn from Him, respond in faith, Jesus will set aside all your past sins, restore your conscience and soul and bind you in a loving relationship with God the Father.  Jesus is the only means of achieving this outcome.  Only Jesus can save our souls.  In Matt 7:7-11 it records for us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God is called our Father, and He wants to have that kind of relationship with you.  What Father won’t nurture and care for his children?  And unlike our earthly fathers, God the Father has the ability to meet our most pressing needs.

Solutions may often need professional help, a program of managing our weakness, and God can be with you through all of this journey.  Jesus brings the element that no program can deliver, the forgiveness for our past sins. There is no physical solution to a spiritual problem. Our shame and failings, covered by Jesus, a fresh start for mind and soul.  Does that not appeal to you?

The story of the prodigal son is our story. All of us have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6), none are just (Rom 3:10), all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Just like the prodigal son, we may have to hit rock bottom before we recognize what we are doing to ourselves (Luke 15:11-32).

If our greatest need was education, God would have sent an educator.  If it was technology, would have sent a scientist, if medical, a doctor, if money an economist, but our greatest need was forgiveness, and so God sent us a saviour.

So what next?

You have to knock on the door, you have to cry out to the Father.  It involves you turning your back on sin and coming to understand the will of God for your life.  A Bible is essential.  In the pages of the Bible you will learn about Jesus; His love, His compassion, His patience and tenderness.  And the gospels reveal that Jesus was the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3).  In simple terms, Jesus character reflects the fathers character.

So you think you are too bad a person for Jesus to care?  Really?  Let me tell you about the Apostle Paul.  Jesus gave His life to save sinners.  The Apostle Paul talked about this in 1 Tim 1:15 “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”  Can you imagine an apostle saying such a thing.  Paul had been involved in persecuting Jesus followers, destroying the church, hunting down the Christians, and yet it was possible for him to be counted among the saved sinners. Paul took up Jesus offer to save him, so can you. .

You need to come to Jesus, and ask for forgiveness, following the pattern found in Acts 2.  In the book of Acts, on Pentecost, the good news was preached.  Here is the account of Acts for us, in a snap shot.

• Let’s see what’s said. Acts 2:21. “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

• His audience killed Jesus Acts 2:36. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

• What do we do about that? Acts 2:37. “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?””

• Look at the next verse for the answer Acts 2:38. “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;”

• The offer for salvation is good for you and everybody who follows Acts 2:39.

•  So save yourselves “Be saved from this perverse generation” Acts 2:40.

•  Then they that gladly received His Word accepted those terms and conditions and did so by being baptized Acts 2:41. “So then, those who had received his word were baptized”

And who does the adding at that point?  If you drop down to verse 47 you'll see that it is Jesus who does the adding Acts 2:47 “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Start your journey now this very minute.  Come to worship with us and learn from Jesus.  Join with other forgiven sinners and let us help you on your journey with Jesus.